City of Vancouver Summer Events
Vancouver, BC, Will Host a Number of Festivals
An exciting line up of cultural festivals all summer like Bard on the Beach Shakespeare, Children's Festival, Jazz and Folk Festivals, and the Celebration of Light
Vancouver comes alive in the summer as arts and cultural festivals hit the streets. The city hosts a number of exciting events each year focusing on a variety of interests. Look below for a guide to the best festivals coming to town.
Vancouver International Children’s Festival
Happening May 14-21, this popular festival attracts thousands of children and their parents for music, theatre, dance, storytelling, puppetry, circus arts and plenty more. The organizers focus on cultivating the spirit of children within the events so that adults with young spirits will enjoy them, too. Marking its 30th year, the festival welcomes international hits like Jabali African Acrobats, Vietamese Water Puppets, and a marionette theater. This one almost always sells out, so advanced tickets are a must if you want to guarantee a seat at any of the shows.
Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival
A regular date on most resident’s calendar is the outdoor Shakespeare festival taking place this May 31-September 23. The open-air tents become a haven for theatre lovers from all around the world, creating a wonderful environment set for drama. Sitting outside under the starry sky, the British Columbia mountains act as a backdrop with the sea as a carpet of calmness. There is no better way to watch the master’s work performed by some of the best actors in the city. This year, plan to see The Taming of the Shrew, Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, and Timon of Athens.
Vancouver International Jazz Festival
This 10-day long event plays out from June 22- July 1 this year. Thousands of people storm the venues to hear local, national and international artists jam on stage. From staples like Cesaria Evora and Holly Cole, to favorites like Sonny Rollins and Chris Botti, the crowds are kept dancing until the wee hours of the night. During the festival, shows run starting at noon until late into the evening. An abundance of free shows are played throughout, mostly at the outdoor locations. The musical line-ups every year are not to be missed.
Vancouver Folk Music Festival
This July 13-15 will be a fantastic weekend for those who love folk music. This yearly fest embraces Vancouver’s laid back attitude and atmosphere of the West Coast. Also celebrating its 30th year, the weekend is full of top musicians from all over the globe. Using Jericho Beach as the venue, the crowds can groove to folk and roots music while soaking in the sunset from the beach. An art market and food venue are always involved to keep concert goers fed and happy. Weekend festival passes are available and make it a stress-free way to see all of the shows that interest you.
Celebration of Light Fireworks Competition
And don’t forget the annual fireworks. July 25 and 28, and August 1 and 4 are the dates to mark on your calendar. This year watch as Canada, Spain and China duel it out in the sky. Attracting over 1.5 million people to the downtown core, make sure to make it to English Bay, Kitsilano, Vanier Park, Jericho Beach or West Vancouver for the best seats in the house.
